Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Smart coming-of-age tale costumed as superhero adventure.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Andrew Bean is in the most exclusive club at school: H.E.R.O., a secret program to train superhero sidekicks. Drew has extraordinary senses, but that's about it. His mentor, the Titan, is a reclusive legend too burdened by booze and misery to aid him. His best friend, Jenna, is oblivious to his timid romantic feelings. Then a prison break heralds the return of the Dealer, a villain thought to have been killed by the Titan years ago. As the Dealer and the three Jacks draw near, superheroes begin to disappear, and their sidekicks are in peril. Drew desperately tries to rouse the Titan -- to help himself, even if he won't help anyone else. Left fumbling on his own, Drew begins doubting his loyalties as the line between good and bad blurs.
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Is It Any Good?
SIDEKICKED is a terrific addition to the kid-living-a-fantastic-double-life genre, delivering plenty of action while deftly exploring themes of morality, loyalty, identity, and consequences. John David Anderson maintains suspense with unpredictable twists and turns, narrating with 13-year-old Drew's wry voice. Already plagued with self-doubt, Drew is let down by his hero and should-be mentor, a friend, and even his clueless parents, who do all they can for him based on what little they know.
Author John David Anderson digs deep into the nature of good and evil and how the two can get confused. The Titan's fall delves into the importance of personal responsibility -- and the danger of taking it too far. And, of course, there's the question of what qualifies as true heroism.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about when the ends justify the means. Drew tries to justify using his power to spy on others, and he recruits another sidekick to help him steal a car during a rescue mission. Is Drew right to use his special skills in these situations?
Why do you think books about kids with unusual powers -- sorcery, superhero traits, supernatural abilities -- are so popular? Would this story still work if the teens were involved with, say, a junior police officer training program instead of H.E.R.O.?
One of the teens means well but follows the wrong path. Do you think the consequences are fitting?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Superheroes , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Walden Pond Press
- Publication date : June 25, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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